To be clear this is a crossover between the two animated characters, and while the OUAT characters are very similar, they are not quite the same. I will also be ignoring the events of Mulan 2, and saying that the emperor sent Mulan out on a diplomatic mission to Europe for military support instead of marrying off his daughters.
How differently do they think of each other now compared to when they first met?
Merida and Mulan met at a joust and Merida was instantly smitten when Mulan kicked her butt in the sword competition.
Mulan was slower to develop feelings but faster to recognize them as the passions of the cut sleeve, while Merida has no cultural context for understanding her feelings as romantic.
What do their friends/family think of their relationship?
Initially, Merida being a foreigner is pretty strong mark against her for Fa Zhou and Fa Li, who are very traditional and vice versa for Elinor. Fergus for his part loves Mulan immediately with Gusto. In defense of the Fa parents, a big part of the lack of support also comes from getting one letter saying that there is a crazy short girl with giant red hair and eyes like a demon to her being in love in the next letter that got home to them.
Elinor for her part changes her mind about Mulan, in part because the lack of support in her parentβs letter is so devastating to her and she realizes that her lack of support hurts Merida in similar ways.
Mulanβs parents change their mind when Mulan takes Merida home to meet her family, and Grandmother Fa is instantly supportive and tells her son off, mentioning some youthful dalliances that sheβd had.
How do their personalities/skills complement or contrast with each other?
Obviously, Merida and Mulan are both fighters and very strong determined people. Less obviously, their differences are actually what make them work. Merida does not think things through, and as the future leader of the clans, desperately needs the sort of thoughtful advice that Mulan, who is good at thinking creatively on her feet can offer.
Mulan also needs Merida. Mulan loves her family, friends, and her country. That is a beautiful thing, but it can quickly become very ugly when she is unwilling to consider her own needs over the expectations of her kin. Merida is someone who demands what she wants and as much as it irks Mulan, particularly early on, itβs a balance that she needs.
What is their favorite aspect of each other?
They both are initially attracted to each otherβs strength, and over time find that theyβre not just strong physically but also emotionally.
Do either of them have pet peeves about each other?
Merida is very much so a punch first, ask questions later sort of person, and Mulan does not always appreciate being forced to ad lib her way through situations. Merida is very defensive when sheβs called out despite it being reasonable to be asked to not just react emotionally.
How would each reconcile with each other after a fight?
They go walking and hiking and train together. Itβs the easiest way to get Merida to talk through her problems, because when her body is kept busy she can get energy out and canβt let things spiral inside her as much.
What would be their ideal vacation getaway together?
Sailing together on a junk. They both love exploring and learning new things but neither of them gets much of a chance to be away from their duties.
Think of a new way (AU, different situation, etc.) they could have met for the first time.
I think Merida and Mulan would be really well suited to a zombie apocalypse AU. Merida has been struggling fending for herself after separating from her family and Mulan has to rescue the Scot from a trap that sheβd set up for zombies that Merida walked into, before she catches herself on fire. Mulan ends up helping Merida to find out what happened to her family and they fall in love over the course of the adventure.
